May 18-24th was National
Ethical Investment Week 2008
Henderson is working to promote SRI in the UK
"At Henderson we are proud of the fact that we have been managing ethical and SRI money since 1977....our SRI fund range has been able to demonstrate that such investments can deliver competitive returns over the long term."
Roger Yates, Chief Executive, Henderson Global Investors [extract from speech made at the NEIW Parliamentary reception, 21st May 2008]
“I firmly believe SRI is one of the fastest growing and exciting areas of investment management. Henderson has a 30 year track record in this area and we are committed to taking our SRI business to the next level. As such, we are proud to be sponsoring the UK’s first National Ethical Investment Week.”
Andrew Formica, Head of Equities, Henderson Global Investors
Henderson is proud to be a lead sponsor of the UK’s first ever National Ethical Investment Week (NEIW), scheduled to take place between 18-24 May 2008.
NEIW aims to encourage people to consider green and ethical options for their investments, and seeks to make this an annual event, in the same way that a national fair-trade week has now become an established annual event.
A growing number of stakeholders, from a diverse background are interested in SRI, coming at it from a variety of reasons. Some examples of these are listed below:
Testimonials & quotes
"Only a tiny percentage of the world's 6.6 billion people are lucky enough to be able to afford investment and pension products over and above any minimum state entitlements. It astonishes me that so many people abuse that privilege by investing in ways that make the world even less equitable than it is already is today, and even more unsustainable. Especially as those people need lose nothing, from a personal point of view, by investing ethically and responsibly."
Hon. Jonathan Porritt CBE, environmentalist and writer
“As part of our company's co-investment scheme we were given the chance last year to invest in the Henderson Industries of the Future Fund which has thus far produced solid results. I have also invested as part of a managed savings plan in ethical funds for my children. I feel that a long term investment in SRI represents not only an ethical choice of investment, but the ability to invest in industries which should outgrow the broader market because of their ability to benefit from increased legislation and the like, for example, the wind power sector. SRI is also an important trend within the industry not least because of its' ability to positively influence corporates in matters of sustainability and human rights issues.”
C Roy, investment sales, London [Note: company has business relations with Henderson / client of Henderson SRI funds]
"As a businessman I believe - and have shown - that it is possible to make money responsibly. I have worked to promote the responsibility agenda in my professional life. SRI investing is a great way to achieve a win-win situation."
R Gidoomal, businessman/entrepreneur, London [Note: Member of the Henderson SRI Advisory Committee]
“On a personal level I am deeply concerned about environmental issues and feel strongly that governments should be taking the issue of global warming a great deal more seriously - so putting my own money to work in a way that will pressurise companies to 'do the right thing' appeals. However, in practise my investment rationale is entirely unemotional and purely pragmatic. The reason that I have invested my last 3 ISAs in so-called 'green' funds is that I am convinced that this strategy will pay off financially. To me it is a complete 'no brainer' that companies which are positioning themselves for a carbon-constrained future will be the long-term winners - so investing in them must surely make sense as environmental regulations get ever tighter and the demand for 'greener' more energy efficient products increases.”
H Larrett, investment sales, London [Note: company has business relations with Henderson]
“As a long standing investor in ethical and green funds, I am aiming to achieve two things. Firstly, to help provide finance for the work of entrepreneurs. It's the success of their sustainable companies that are helping to make the world a better place. Secondly, make a sound return on my investment, which will hopefully pay off my mortgage and pension - and I've been pleased with the returns so far. I particularly like the Henderson Industries of the Future Fund”
M Campanale, investor in clean technology, London [Note: former employee Henderson / client of Henderson SRI funds]
"My pension is invested in a fund where the managers understand the challenges of sustainable growth and select companies that are positively addressing them. I have two broad reasons. The first is that the companies I am investing in are well-positioned for growth as we move towards a low-carbon, resource-contrained world, and this will be reflected in long-term returns. The second is that my investment supports companies that are more likely to deliver the sort of world I want to live in."
A Chapple, runs the sustainable finance programme for an NGO, London
Investors interested in providing us with testimonials on their SRI investments can email sri@henderson.com
Events - Henderson involvement
As one of the lead sponsors of NEIW, Henderson Global Investors will be active in promoting this event in a number of ways, some examples of which currently include (we will be updating this list over time):
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Henderson hosted UKSIF seminar
Consumer attitudes and understanding of sustainable finance products, 29th April 2008, 1.30 - 3.30pm, London
This event (hosted by and to include a speaker from Henderson, My-Linh Ngo, Associate Director SRI Research) for opinion formers will discuss two pieces of consumer research relating to consumers' interest in SRI which were published at the end of last year. The seminar is intended to allow participants to learn about the research and to identify and discuss the key issues that emerge from it.
The first was commissioned by DEFRA and carried out by Ipsos Mori, explores 'public understanding of sustainable finance and investments', drawing on 14 focus group discussions. The second was carried out by Ashridge Business School and explores the consumer market for ethical financial products.
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Henderson presents at Adviser 2008 - London
Modern investment strategies, Seminar, 8th May, London
IFA seminar organised by the Association of Independent Financial Advisers (AIFA) aimed at raising awareness about ethical and green investments, a new trend sweeping the market. Seb Beloe (Head of SRI Research) at Henderson is a panel member.
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Henderson staff briefing about SRI
Staff lunchtime seminar, 19th May, London
To promote NEIW internally, Henderson will be organising a lunchtime seminar with employees in its London Headquarters, to raise awareness about SRI investments.
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Henderson speaks at JustShare debate
Lunchtime discussion about ethical investments, 20th May 2008, 1.05 – 1.55pm, London
This event, hosted by JustShare, is targeted at City workers and those interested in ethical/SRI investments. It features three speakers, including Seb Beloe from Henderson providing the business case for ethical investing. Visit the website for how you can sign up to attend.
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Henderson participates in Skandia e-seminar for IFAs on ethical investments
Online discussion about ethical investments, 20th May 2008, London
To mark NEIW, Skandia, a leading financial distributor, has organised a week-long series of online seminars for IFAs on its interactive website, Informer Live. George Latham (Head of SRI Funds) from Henderson will be participating 'live' in the Tuesday session, providing an outline of Henderson's approach to SRI and taking questions from listeners. You can listen in on these sessions live, or after the sessions on the website (NOTE: you will need RealPlayer to do so).
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UKSIF/AIFA briefing for IFAs
IFAs and the environment - how to green your business and promote green investment products, 21st May 2008, London
This event organised by the Association of Independent Financial Advisers (AIFA) working with UKSIF and Henderson aims to explore the role IFAs can play to green their own businesses as well as better understand green/SRI investment products. George Latham from Henderson will be participating in a panel discussion.
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Henderson’s CEO speaks at NEIW parliamentary reception
Reception for NEIW, 21st May 2008, 4 – 6pm, London
To promote NEIW, a parliamentary event has been organised with speakers from the government and sponsors, including Henderson’s Chief Executive Officer, Roger Yates.
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Henderson participates in panel discussion on ethical investing
Looking forward - the future of ethical investing, 21st May 2008, 7-9pm London
Barchester Green Investment, a leading Independent Financial Advisory firm, organised event to debate the future of ethical investing. A panel made up of leading industry figures includes Seb Beloe from Henderson. The event is free to attend, visit the website to register.
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Henderson speaks at Oxfam staff SRI briefing
Lunchtime discussion about SRI, 23rd May 2008, Oxford
My-Linh Ngo (Associate Director SRI Research) will be providing a briefing to Oxfam staff at its head office in Oxford, about ethical and SRI investing.
More events are being organised by others for NEIW, visit the official website for details.
News & Press releases
For more information on NEIW, and how you can get involved, visit the official website